116508 Daytona Hand Alignment Issue

[MRBolton]

I recently got an October 2022 Daytona that has the chrono seconds hand slightly misaligned. The other chrono hands look fine to me, but the seconds hand is just slightly to the right of the 12 o’clock marker—enough that it really irks me.

The dealer has offered to bring it back to the AD which it originated from who has a Rolex watchmaker to see if he can fix it, and if not—send it on to RSC on a rush basis so that I don’t have to send myself and wait 6 weeks or whatever. I really hate to have the watch messed with and add additional scratches, particularly to the case back that has such a beautiful brushed pattern.

I’ve tried rubbing the chrono and resetting several times. I think it got minutely better, but it didn’t really have an impact. Hitting the reset button with the chrono not running has no effect.

Is there any other current suggestion on how to fix? Sounds like the only solution is to send it off since I can’t come to terms with letting it be.

[N1te Ryd3r]

https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=914510

^^^relevant^^^

I decided to live with it, it's a common issue and vs sending to RSC, I believe I chose a lesser of two evils...

[MRBolton]

Originally Posted by N1te Ryd3r

https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=914510

^^^relevant^^^

I decided to live with it, it's a common issue and vs sending to RSC, I believe I chose a lesser of two evils...

Yours is a little worse than mine. Jealous you can fairly easily live with it! My OCD is too bad.
If it were a $400 watch, okay. But $40k-ish retail? Unacceptable in my opinion. My previous 2 Daytonas were perfect.

[N1te Ryd3r]

FWIW All 3 of mine are a little bit off!!

[Seddyspaghetti]

It sucks but it happens :/

[Devildog]

Originally Posted by MRBolton

I recently got an October 2022 Daytona that has the chrono seconds hand slightly misaligned. The other chrono hands look fine to me, but the seconds hand is just slightly to the right of the 12 o’clock marker—enough that it really irks me.

The dealer has offered to bring it back to the AD which it originated from who has a Rolex watchmaker to see if he can fix it, and if not—send it on to RSC on a rush basis so that I don’t have to send myself and wait 6 weeks or whatever. I really hate to have the watch messed with and add additional scratches, particularly to the case back that has such a beautiful brushed pattern.

I’ve tried rubbing the chrono and resetting several times. I think it got minutely better, but it didn’t really have an impact. Hitting the reset button with the chrono not running has no effect.

Is there any other current suggestion on how to fix? Sounds like the only solution is to send it off since I can’t come to terms with letting it be.

I've literally taken 12 pictures of mine, and the chrono hand is either slightly left or right.

As a former product photographer, I've come to the conclusion that the parallax effect is in play here. Its literally impossible to line up the relevant lens on my iphone perfectly perpendicular to the exact centre axis that perfectly intersects the 12 o'clock to 6 o'clock axis of my watch without spending tens of thousands of pounds on a rig to do just that.

Ive also accepted that my eye is no better for that purpose as the same alignment issues apply as with the camera in my phone. Or any camera for that matter. The human body is simply incapable of holding the watch in the required plane to ensure perfect alignment.

The conclusion I have reached from my extensive testing is that unless the alignment is actually so bad as to be clear whichever way the watch is held and by the human eye alone, it doesn't matter.

[Masteryacht]

Very normal. Look at some Patek photos and you will see the same thing. (Not Patek or Rolex website photos, they tend to be perfect)

[DaytonaAllDay]

Get it fixed if it bothers you, I would. Sadly, your watch will come back with some marks at least on the caseback since they will (and should) not polish it after working on the movement and casing it back up. There may even be some marks on the bracelet. My watches always showed slightly more scratches and imprints on the caseback from the tool they used to unscrew it. This is something I will never understand since the watches were serviced under warranty and should not come back scratched.

[watchmainspring]

I've had mechanical Breitling, Omega, and Rolex chronos. This aways happens. Always.

The only exception is my moonswatch. That plastic piece of junk is my most accurate watch.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[MRBolton]

Originally Posted by Devildog

I've literally taken 12 pictures of mine, and the chrono hand is either slightly left or right.

As a former product photographer, I've come to the conclusion that the parallax effect is in play here. Its literally impossible to line up the relevant lens on my iphone perfectly perpendicular to the exact centre axis that perfectly intersects the 12 o'clock to 6 o'clock axis of my watch without spending tens of thousands of pounds on a rig to do just that.

Ive also accepted that my eye is no better for that purpose as the same alignment issues apply as with the camera in my phone. Or any camera for that matter. The human body is simply incapable of holding the watch in the required plane to ensure perfect alignment.

The conclusion I have reached from my extensive testing is that unless the alignment is actually so bad as to be clear whichever way the watch is held and by the human eye alone, it doesn't matter.

I definitely can see where you’re coming from, but with all due respect, I’m choosing to believe my lying eyes here. It’s visible to the naked eye, but comes very much more apparent with a loupe, which I also discovered a tiny piece of dust on on the outer gold bezel edge of a subdial.

I’ve had two other Daytonas and feel very confident those were perfect. I’ve handled probably 20+ more in stores and think I would’ve noticed if it were to this extent. I think this is one of those latter situations you’re describing.

[MRBolton]

Originally Posted by DaytonaAllDay

Get it fixed if it bothers you, I would. Sadly, your watch will come back with some marks at least on the caseback since they will (and should) not polish it after working on the movement and casing it back up. There may even be some marks on the bracelet. My watches always showed slightly more scratches and imprints on the caseback from the tool they used to unscrew it. This is something I will never understand since the watches were serviced under warranty and should not come back scratched.

I wonder if they’ll let me send it in without the bracelet. No need risking that component if I don’t have to.
The caseback scratches I’m justifying to myself as this: I look at the dial way more than the caseback. However, I do wonder how bad that scratches will be. Do you have any photo examples?

[MRBolton]

Originally Posted by Masteryacht

Very normal. Look at some Patek photos and you will see the same thing. (Not Patek or Rolex website photos, they tend to be perfect)

I know it can happen, but coming from two Daytonas that didn’t have it, it irks me. I feel like I notice more function/complication imperfections with Patek than Rolex.

[MRBolton]

Just wanted to let everyone know the outcome here for those who may visit this thread in the future with a similar issue.
I got my 116508 in on a Friday. On Friday the following week when my AD's watchmaker returned from vacation, I brought it by. Problem is, the problem was basically GONE! I still wanted his opinion, so I brought it by.
He advised the problem was likely caused by excess lubrication, potentially exacerbated by the watch being new/unworn for about a year. I believe he said it was on one of the hammers or something along those lines, and it wasn't allowing the hand to fully travel back to exactly straight up. Running the chronograph several times and resetting as I had been likely is what fixed the problem.
So, all's well in my world with it now!

[samsmart]

Should be a very easy fix for any competent watchsmith

Sent from my SM-S911U using Tapatalk

[MRBolton]

Originally Posted by samsmart

Should be a very easy fix for any competent watchsmith

Sent from my SM-S911U using Tapatalk

See my post above. All is done now!

[jb335]

I’m glad it’s resolved to your satisfaction.

I’ll also add to remember not to let the things you own end up owning you.